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Thursday 16 Jun 2022

Power granted to close crossings in Essex, Thurrock, Hertfordshire and other authorities

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

The Secretary of State for Transport has granted Network Rail the power to close or modify 37 crossings as part of wider plans across Anglia to reduce risk and create a safer, more reliable railway.  

In 2017, Network Rail submitted a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application to close or modify 57 crossings in Essex, Hertfordshire, the unitary authorities of Thurrock and Southend-on-Sea, and the London Borough of Havering. The Secretary of State has granted Network Rail the powers to close or modify the following: 

 

Level crossing name	Postcode
Old Lane	CM19 5DS
Camps	CM19 5DY
Parndon Mill	CM20 2HR
Elsenham Emergency Hut	CM22 6JL
Ugley Lane	CM22 6LD
Henham	CB11 3XP
Elephant	CB11 3PE
Windmills	CB11 3TT
Parsonage Lane/Margaretting	CM4 9JJ
Maldon Road	CM4 9JS
Noakes	CM3 3HH
Snivillers	CO5 9EN
Hill House 1	CO5 9EN
Great Domsey	CO5 9EP
Long Green	CO6 1XP
Church 2	CO3 8NE
Barbara Close	SS4 1NQ
Whipps Farmers	RM14 3PJ
Ferry	SS7 1NR
Brickyard Farm	SS8 0QT
Cranes No 1	CM77 8NU
Cranes No 2	CM8 1RN
Great Bentley station	CO7 8LU
Lords No1	CO7 8NX
Bluehouse	CO13 0EP
Wheatsheaf	CO11 2TQ
Abbotts	CO7 7RS
Trinity Lane	EN8 7EP
Cadmore Lane	EN8 9SA
Tednambury	CM23 4BD
Gilston	CM23 4AS
Johnsons	CM23 2AH
Butts Lane	RM11 3NA
Woodhall Crescent	RM11 3ST
Manor Farm	RM14 2TZ
No131	RM19 1SX
Howells Farm	SS17 9EY

 

Where a public crossing is closed, users will be diverted to a suitable and safe alternative route if it already exists. Where a suitable and safe alternative does not currently exist, a new public route will be provided prior to closure. We will work with landowners and councils to agree designs for any new alternative route.  

 

Crossings at Old Lane, Parsonage Lane/Margaretting, Church 2, Barbara Close, Cranes No.2, Cadmore Lane, Johnsons, Butts Lane, Woodhall Crescent can be closed immediately after receiving the powers (if not already), as a safe, alternative route across the railway already exists nearby. Information will be posted at these crossing sites with details of existing diversionary routes for those that wish to cross the railway.  

 

Closing or modifying crossings and diverting rights of way will make the railway safer by reducing the opportunity for people to come into contact with trains. The changes also support a more efficient and reliable railway for passengers and freight users, reducing ongoing operating and maintenance costs, delays to trains, pedestrians, and other highway users.  

 

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, said: “Improving safety on the railway continues to be my top priority and the powers we have been granted to close or modify 37 level crossings is a major step forward to achieving this.  

 

“We will begin to remove some of these crossing immediately while others will need more time to provide a suitable diversion route before we close the crossing.  

 

“I want to thank everyone who has been involved and taken the time to provide feedback and views on our proposals through the public consultation and public inquiry stages.”  

 

For more information. Please visit: www.networkrail.co.uk/anglialevelcrossings 

 

You can also follow us on Twitter @networkrailANG  

 

  

NOTES FOR EDITORS 

• Network Rail’s level crossing reduction programme seeks to reduce the overall number of level crossings across the Anglia route to improve safety and reduce risk.  
• Three Transport and Works Act Order applications were submitted in 2017 to seek powers to close or modify over 104 level crossings.   
• The Secretary of State for Transport granted the powers to close or modify 16 level crossings across Cambridgeshire on 29 October 2020.  
• On 26 November 2020, powers to close or modify nine level crossings across Suffolk were granted. 

• Full detail of the powers granted and a copy of the Secretary of State’s report can be found on GOV.UK.